Researchers register growth in the number of hoofed mammals – the main source of food for Amur tigers

27 December 2012

The deputy research director of the Sikhote-Alinsky reserve, Dr Yelena Pimenova, said that, having completed their winter recording of fauna routes, experts of the reserve have registered growth in the population of hogs, spotted deer and Siberian stags, which are the main source of food for the Red Book Amur tigers.

"Researchers have obtained information on 26 species of mammals, which points to growth in the population of hogs, spotted deer and Siberian stags. Their numbers have been growing during the past few years. The number of Amur tigers remains the same – there are about 20 of them in the reserve," Pimenova said.

She said the aggregate length of routes in the reserve is 460 km. Experts pay a lot of attention to recording Amur tiger numbers. They meticulously measure their tracks and examine all traces of their life – sleeping places, scrapes and remnants of food.

"To refine the data obtained from tracks in the snow, researchers use pictures taken by photo traps and other tracking information. But they have already established tentatively that the tiger population is not decreasing. We hope that their numbers have stabilised and will grow in the next recording year," Pimenova said.

She pointed out that conducting the record keeping this year was complicated by bad weather. It was -12C during the day and -23C at night on the coast, and from -22C during the day to -35C at night in continental areas. Moreover, not all rivers have been covered with ice after abundant precipitation in the autumn, making the experts' movements more difficult.

"The reserve submits its report on the record keeping of animals to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Primorye Territory department on fauna protection, control and regulation, and the Vladivostok-based affiliate of the Tiger Special Inspectorate. This information helps specialists determine the quotas for the hunting of game animals and plan biotechnical and nature protection measures," Pimenova said.

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The Sikhote-Alinsky natural biospheric reserve was founded in 1935. The protected territory occupies 398,700 hectares and is the best place for observing Amur tigers.